Jets’ David Garrard: I definitely can play, I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t play
By Mike Dyce
The New York Jets have gotten quality play from rookie quarterback Geno Smith at times. At other times they’ve gotten horrendous play from Smith like his performance against the Baltimore Ravens last week. He completed nine of 22 passes for 127 yards and threw two interceptions.
The Jets, if they wanted to change things up to make a late playoff run, could turn to back up quarterback David Garrard. He has been hanging out on the bench and become forgotten about to an extent.
“I definitely can play,” Garrard told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t play. . . . I would have just come back as a coach.”
And don’t be confused, Garrard isn’t publicly campaigning for playing time.
“I’m not trying to push that envelope until my number is called,” Garrard said. “So, for now, I’m being the best teammate that I can, the best guy to help Geno as much as I can, because everything’s new to him as far as what the other teams are doing and how to handle certain situations. I’m trying to give him that little bit of wisdom that I have to be able to help him not be hit by things off guard. Right now, that’s my role.”
Garrard isn’t shy about talking about his talent though, he says he could still start for this team or anyone willing to give him a shot.
“I’ve told these guys that I’d love to stay here, love to keep going,” Garrard said. “I don’t know if it’s in the cards for someone else to bring me in as a starter. If that’s not the case, I’d love to be right here and keep working with these guys and working with this staff.”